Tottenham need a top-four finish to keep stars, warns Jan Vertonghen

Jan Vertonghen is certain that Tottenham are capable of finishing in the top four this season – and has warned that Spurs “need” Champions League football to keep their best players.

Spurs currently occupy fourth place heading into Sunday’s clash with leaders Manchester United at White Hart Lane.

And the defender believes that qualifying for the Champions League is crucial for the future success of the club if they are to attract top players to north London and hang on to their star names.

“We have one of the best squads in the league, we’re in the top four now and we can stay there,” he told the London Evening Standard.

“Of course, there are exceptional players elsewhere, Wayne Rooney, Robin van Persie, David Silva, Sergio Aguero, and at Chelsea as well. But we have 25 very good players, too.

“We can stay together, especially if we’re playing in the Champions League. I hope, one day, we can win the title. We’re capable of it but we need Champions League football to keep the good players here.

“Everyone wants to play in the competition and that’s what you saw with Luka Modric [who joined Real Madrid last summer], I guess.

“It’s important for the club, not a real disaster if it doesn’t happen, but important for the future.

“It would feel an underachievement if we didn’t do it [finish in the top four].

“We really want to play in the Champions League and I think we have the squad to get there.”